Pinstripes

by Faith Bleasdale

  “There you go.” He beamed. Clara stood up to get a better look.

  “Wow, Fabio, you’re a genius,” she said. Virginia’s hair looked amazing.

  Ella gulped. “Christ, she looks great.”

  The colour was clever: Fabio had put different shades of gold into Virginia’s hair. The cut was funky and attractive. Although they could not see her face, the hair was a definite improvement.

  “Virginia, move your hands,” Clara snapped. It had no effect. Ella shrugged moving one of Virginia’s hands herself; Fabio removed the other. Virginia’s eyes were closed. “Look, Virginia. Look!” Clara urged excitedly. Virginia opened one eye, then the other. She stared into the mirror and blinked. She didn’t know who she was staring at but the girl in the mirror looked great.

  “I knew it! I knew she was gorgeous.” Clara clapped her hands and ran to the till to pay.

  “Is it me?” Virginia asked.

  “Yes, it is, and you look terrific,” Ella replied. She had not imagined in her wildest dreams that Virginia could be so transformed by a haircut. She almost booked an appointment with Fabio herself.

  “My God,” Virginia said.

  Clara and Ella got Virginia out of the salon. She kept touching her hair. “Is it me?” she asked again.

  “Yes, it bloody well is, and I don’t think it’s fair that after one haircut you look like a fucking movie star,” Clara said. “It took me much more than that.” Virginia and Ella gazed at Clara: she looked so peeved that they burst out laughing.

  “It’s the ugly-duck syndrome,” Clara stated, as they drove back in a cab to her flat.

  “I don’t think Virginia was ever ugly,” Ella said.

  “No, but she looked boring. I always said she had potential, didn’t I?” Clara said.

  “I look so different,” Virginia said.

  “Can you stop obscuring my mirror?” the cab driver asked angrily.

  When they got out Ella told Virginia they were going to get their things together so they could stay at Clara’s for a couple of days. “I’ll drive us,” she said, and led Virginia to her car.

  On the journey Virginia didn’t speak; she pulled down the sun visor and stared at herself in the mirror. Ella decided to enjoy the peace. Two days with Clara and Virginia would be anything but peaceful. They went first to Ella’s, where she threw a few things in her sports bag, then to Virginia’s, then headed back to Clara’s.

  Clara had had some more cocaine. She was a little miffed by Virginia’s new look although she didn’t know why. Virginia looked lovely. Clara had hoped she would drag her into the right century, but she hadn’t banked on her looking quite so good. She also had not anticipated that Virginia’s transformation would bother her.

  When they arrived, she had a bottle of red wine waiting.

  “Clara, don’t tell me you’ve got alcohol ready.” Ella said dumping her bag by the front door and flopping down on the sofa.

  “Well I thought we’d celebrate Virginia turning into an attractive young woman.” Clara said it with a hint of hostility.

  “You did this to me,” Virginia retorted sensing the hostility.

  “Don’t forget it,” Clara hit back pouring the wine.

  “I need the bathroom,” Virginia stated and ran to look at herself in the mirror. Again, she couldn’t believe it. Apart from the fact she was blonde and her mousy look had gone, she did look good. She looked modern. Her eyes looked bigger and the way he had cut her hair away from her face, made her face look softer. As she smiled at herself in the mirror, she hardly recognised the girl smiling back.

  “I’ve created a monster,” Clara said.

  “Shit, Clara, anyone would think you liked her looking the way she did.”

  “I didn’t. I just didn’t think she’d look quite so good.”

  “Well it’s great for us that she does. The idea was to have the journalist eating out of her hands. And looking like that, she will.”

  “As long as she doesn’t behave the way she did when she was at the hairdresser,” Clara said.

  “We’ve got tonight and tomorrow to make sure she doesn’t,” Ella replied.

  When Virginia returned they started preparing her for the journalist. As they drank, Virginia loosened up.

  “Thank you, Clara,” Virginia said.

  “What for?” Clara asked.

  “My hair. I know it’s so I don’t mess up, but thank you anyway,” Virginia replied.

  “Just make sure you don’t mess up,” Clara said.

  She felt a new confidence. “You know, maybe I can do this,” she added.

  “Declan has booked lunch for you at Hush,” Ella told her. “He insisted.”

  “Who pays?” Clara asked.

  “He will. We’re giving him a story, after all.”

  “But I’m not very good at eating in front of strangers.” Virginia’s confidence had dissolved already.

  “You know which knives and forks to use, don’t you?” Clara asked.

  “Yes, but ...”

  “OK. Just order a salad and say you’re on a diet. You don’t have to eat much,” Clara told her helpfully.

  “The food isn’t important,” Ella said impatiently. “I’ve written down what you have to say and I’ve also written down the questions I think he’ll ask, with answers. Study them and we’ll test you tomorrow. And, Virginia, relax. We’re here for you.” Ella handed her a piece of paper.

  They spent the rest of the evening trying to build Virginia’s confidence. By the time they went to bed, they were exhausted. With only one day left before the big lunch Virginia didn’t sound as if she could handle it.

  The following day they continued their preparations. Clara showed Virginia the outfit; Virginia said she didn’t like it. Clara accused her of being deliberately difficult and ordered her to try it on. Once she did, she had to admit she felt good. She looked very good. It took her a while to learn how to walk in the shoes, because she had never worn heels before. Eventually she got the hang of it and she almost stopped stumbling.

  “This Declan guy is going to adore you,” Ella said, trying to believe it.

  “Any guy would adore you looking like that,” Clara conceded.

  ‘really?”

  “Virginia, you look gorgeous,” Ella said.

  By the time they went to bed, they were all tired again. Virginia was tired of all the things she had to remember. Clara had taken too much cocaine and was feeling sick.

  Ella was worried – about the plan, about the effect on Virginia and on Clara if it went wrong.

  No one slept well that night.

  Chapter Thirty-three

  The following morning the flat was a hive of nerves. They had managed not to argue for one day so tempers were frayed.

  Virginia felt sick – Ella practically had to push her into the shower. Afterwards Clara did her hair and put on her makeup while Ella reminded Virginia of what to say.

  She insisted on driving Virginia to lunch. She thought that putting her in a cab was asking for trouble. Clara sulked because she had to wait at home, but she insisted Virginia take her mobile: if anything went wrong she could call them from the ladies”. Virginia didn’t know how to use it.

  “For Christ’s sake Virginia, don’t tell me you’ve never used a mobile phone.”

  “I haven’t,” Virginia said, shaking. It then took a while for Clara to show her, mainly because Clara was swearing constantly.

  When they set off, Virginia was looking great but feeling awful.

  As Ella parked the car and walked her to the restaurant, early so that she would be there first, she kissed her cheek, which she’d never done before, and wished her luck. “You’ll be fine.” She smiled encouragingly.

  “Thanks.”

  Virginia wobbled slightly as she walked across the cobbles to the restaurant door. She stammered as she asked for Declan’s booking. She was shown to a table, sat down, ordered a mineral water and waited. She was ten minutes early and she tried not
to stare at the door, but she couldn’t help it. Just as she had decided to do a runner, Declan came to the table. He was tall and blonde, he looked about forty, and his face was worn – attractively so. He was wearing a very sharp suit, which Virginia felt wouldn’t have looked out of place at SFH. He stuck out his hand. “I’m Declan. You must be Virginia. I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”

  Virginia took his hand and pulled herself together. “Not at all.” She smiled.

  Declan sat down. He looked at her and Virginia could feel the colour rising. She willed it away.

  “Would you like something stronger than water? I thought I’d order some wine.”

  “That would be nice. I prefer red.” Virginia had been told to be assertive.

  “Then red it is. I hate all this waiting until we know what we’re eating. I’m from the school of thought that says wine is great with anything, whatever the colour.” He was smooth and Virginia felt uneasy. On the scale of sophistication, they were at opposite ends. He summoned the waiter and ordered.

  “Shall we choose some food?” Declan said, indicating the menu.

  He sounded kind. Perhaps he would be nice to her, Virginia hoped, not at all the shark that Ella had said she would be eating with.

  “Of course,” she said.

  The wine came and Declan announced that they were ready to order. Even though she hadn’t eaten the previous day, Virginia was not hungry. She opted for a salad.

  “No starter?” Declan asked.

  “I’m dieting.” Virginia replied, and smiled at him. She hoped it was the smile she had practised and not a moronic smile.

  “You don’t need to diet. Maybe I can tempt you with dessert.” He laughed. A laugh that sounded to Virginia as if it came from a television programme. He wasn’t real. She sipped her wine slowly, as Clara had told her to. He was still looking at her, examining her, making her feel uncomfortable.

  “So. Tell me about this scandal.” At last Virginia could begin her rehearsed speech. “I outlined most of it on the telephone. A managing director of SFH is very into cocaine and prostitutes. He also supplies cocaine to certain people. I’ve read many exposes in your paper and think this one will prove popular.”

  “But when you say managing director, what does that mean?” Declan asked.

  “SFH is run by twenty-one managing directors who also own the company. It’s still private, so he is one of the owners of Britain’s oldest investment bank. They had a scandal recently, buying the wrong stock – I guess you heard that. Well, this one will rock them further,” Virginia said, keeping her voice as normal as she could.

  “You’ve been sacked from there, haven’t you? So what’s your story?”

  “Declan, I’m sure you already know.” Virginia attempted a giggle, which she hoped didn’t sound more like a gurgle.

  “Quite right. You left over a difference of opinion. That’s the official line anyway.”

  “I’m afraid it’s the only line. I didn’t like my boss; she didn’t like me. Nothing more interesting than that.”

  “So you didn’t appeal the decision?” Virginia took a deep breath. Although she had known he would ask these questions they still made her feel uncomfortable.

  “No, I didn’t, I hated working there and fancied a change of scene.”

  “So why come to me?”

  “Because while I’m choosing this change of scene I need cash. And the information I have is worth cash. Declan, I can give you the name of this man. I can also set up a meeting where he won’t be expecting you but you’ll get an opportunity to talk to him. He’s very impressed by money and class. You pose as a lord or something and he’ll sing like a canary.” Virginia was glad she had remembered Ella’s text word by word.

  “Really. So we can rock the oldest bank in Britain ... I like it. But how do I know this information is reliable?”

  “It is. And I think it’s worth it for you to check it out. I got my information the way you do. I overheard a conversation between the man in question and someone else. I know it’s true. I also know that with the right incentive he’ll talk. You just have to be the incentive.”

  “How much?” Virginia was taken aback. She hadn’t thought it would be so easy.

  “You tell me.” She smiled and batted her eyelids at him.

  “I never discuss money on an empty stomach,” Declan said, as, on cue, their food arrived.

  Virginia ate as much as she could; she also drank a little more than she had planned to. But she was beginning to enjoy herself. Declan told her of how they got their stories, which was fascinating, and he told her how he thought they would do hers. She told him Tim’s name; he suggested a sum of money. She looked uninterested and said it “would do”. He laughed and said there might be more if they got any syndication for it. Virginia didn’t know what that meant and didn’t ask. Ella had told her not to come across as stupid. By the time the coffee arrived, the deal had been sealed.

  “You call me soon with a venue. I want to do this as quickly as possible. It’s too late for this week, but next week I want it in the paper. I’ll do the rest. If he doesn’t give me what I want on the first meeting, I’ll arrange another. I’ll introduce myself with a phoney title, which should do the trick. If it doesn’t work, you get nothing. If it does, not only do you get paid but I’ll take you out to dinner.” Virginia really blushed this time: he had almost asked her on a date. As he paid the bill, she shook his hand and he held hers for a little longer than necessary. She nearly fell over when she realised a member of the opposite sex fancied her.

  “Virginia, it’s been a pleasure doing business with you.” He handed her a card with his private number on it and they left. She purposely walked away in the opposite direction to him. As soon as he was out of sight, she collapsed against a wall. Virginia Bateman had done it. She was a smooth operator.

  After checking again that Declan had definitely gone she pulled out Clara’s mobile. She dialled. Clara was on the line immediately.

  “I did it,” Virginia said.

  “Really?” Clara sounded unconvinced.

  “We’ve got to call him tomorrow with a venue,” Virginia explained, hating Clara for not believing her.

  “Well done. Get your arse back here.” Virginia hung up and hailed a cab. The driver looked at her approvingly. She felt good about herself and she liked the feeling.

  ***

  Clara told Ella that Virginia had succeeded.

  “I knew she would,” Ella said, with more conviction than she felt.

  “Yeah, well, it’s a bloody good thing she did.”

  “Don’t be such a bitch – just because you thought she’d screw up.”

  “Well, come on, don’t tell me you really believed she’d do it,” Clara retorted.

  “You have so little faith! Of course I believed it.” Ella smiled at Clara, and they both laughed. The doorbell interrupted them.

  “That can’t be Virginia. She only just rang,” Clara said, as she went to open the door. It was her brother. “James,” Clara kissed him.

  “Can I come in?” he asked.

  “Of course.”

  He walked into the sitting room and stopped when he saw Ella. “Hello,” he said.

  “James, this is Ella,” Clara said, groaning inwardly. She hadn’t planned on him meeting either Ella or Virginia.

  “Hi,” Ella stammered. Clara’s brother was as gorgeous as Clara was.

  “James, this is a surprise.” Clara prayed that Ella wouldn’t say anything to incriminate her.

  “Well, you’ve been neglecting the parents and me. I was worried.”

  “I’ve been busy.” Clara turned red.

  James sat down next to Ella on the sofa. “Shall I go?” she asked, feeling as if she was intruding. The vibes Clara was giving out suggested that she should.

  “Yes,” Clara said.

  “No, Ella, don’t.” James was insistent. Clara sighed, and sat down.

  “I spoke to Josh,” James announ
ced. Both Clara and Ella groaned. “I know about you and him and your little plots, I suppose you’re involved, are you?” He turned to Ella, who shrugged.

  “James, I can explain,” Clara said.

  “Oh, good, I was hoping you would. Perhaps you can start by telling me how you got yourself sacked.”

  Clara went white. “He told you everything?” she whispered.

  “Yes, and I wish you’d told me. Josh is worried about you and now I am too.”

  “I really ought to go.” Ella stood up.

  “Stay” James and Clara said in unison.

  Ella sat down again. She couldn’t leave, although this family scene was the last thing she felt like being a part of.

  “Jamie, I’m so sorry. I hated lying to you but I couldn’t bear to think you’d be disappointed in me.”

  “Clara, you’re my sister and I love you. I need to know you’re all right but from what I hear you’ve got yourself into a huge mess.”

  “I had a fling with my boss. I mean, why else would I get promoted, right? All I am is a pretty face and a pretty arse. That’s what everybody thinks and they’re right. So I had this fling and he sacked me when I tried to break it off.” Ella looked at Clara. Clara stared straight back at her defying her to say anything.

  “Clara, that’s despicable. Apart from the fact that you shouldn’t have got involved with him in the first place, this guy can’t go around firing people for not wanting to sleep with him. We could have claimed unfair dismissal.”

  “Yes, and then as well as disgracing Tim, I would have disgraced myself. I would have been fired anyway. Don’t you see? I didn’t deserve my promotion – I didn’t deserve anything.” Clara’s eyes were full of tears.

  “She was actually very good at her job, but she went quietly because of the scandal it would bring to her family. James, Clara was thinking of you.” Ella could see how much Clara admired her brother, and she could see how much this was hurting her.

  “Thank you, Ella. Clara, is that true?” Clara nodded. He went over to her and took her in his arms. “I still wish you’d told me. Is there anything I can do?”